This thread is to preserve Jim's writing on the 5th Harmonic aspects, from old threads on the previous incarnation of this forum.

Jim Eshelman wrote:(...) the quintile series, based on the division of the circle into fifths (72°, 144°) gives very reliable information natally, though these aspects are not readily discernible in a drawn horoscope. [2015 clarification: The nature of the "very reliable information" is quite different from that provided by the other aspects mentioned and, for most astrologically use, these are inert.]

Jim Eshelman wrote:One of the last talks I developed for public presentation at astrology conventions in the early '80s was on this subject. After coming to the original conclusions, and sharing the direction examples were taking me, I, of course, doubted I had sufficient data to substantiate it. In the decades sense, much of the work I have done has been in a field that lets me observe this particular finding more, and it holds up.

It is this: Quintiles specifically represent aspects of the psyche that unfold as self-actualization (in the Maslow sense) and profound spiritual unfolding/disclosure occurs. It may even be directly wired to Kundalini phenomena (and similar energy phenomena) unlocked by (or contributing to) this unfolding.

In well over 90% of the populace, this is of no interest or value whatsoever because, in the entire course of their lives, they will never reach this level of physical-psychological unlocking that completely discloses them (what they really are) to themselves. However, when someone is specifically on that path, this is a useful key. (Remember that conjunctions are part of the quintile series, btw.)

One of the most important early discoveries from this (not a discovery like I was the first to see it, but rather that it made itself utterly evident to me) is that such self-actualization and spiritual unfolding has nothing whatsoever to do with "goodness." It's not a "washed, purified" reflection of character - it's just character. A striking example is Hitler's chart. He was a genius. He was gigantic. And as he grew, his inner unfolding occurred, his psyche became hypercharged with energy activating circuits and empowering the whole of his being. In his case, the quintile series of aspects that he had in his chart were psychotic aspects. The more he unfolded, the more universal force flooded through him, the crazier he got. But (in any sense that this is meant in spiritual unfolding systems of East or West, excluding moral considerations) this is true spiritual unfolding.

The aspects may show one as a saint or an affhole (or an affhole saint). It's irrelevant. It's just one's unfolding. It's an expression of innate genius actualized.

The primary observation is that, as one unfolds, these traits become more evident. A possibility is that since these traits and the unfolding go hand in hand, one might be able to accelerate the unfolding by developing the traits. However, this kind of "premature forcing the issue" is a delicate matter, not easily forced, so I emphasize that this is only a theoretical consideration.

The easiest way to see the Quintile series aspects is to do a 5th Harmonic chart and look at conjunctions, oppositions, and squares. A 10° orb would equate back in the natal to a 2° orb, and that would be the absolute extreme; one is better holding it to about 1° in the natal (equivalent to 5° in the 5th harmonic chart).

In Hitler's chart, you'll see the triple conjunction of Moon-Saturn-Neptune, a Mercury-Saturn (and, more widely, Mercury-Jupiter and Mercury-Neptune) oppositions, and his Venus-Mars conjunction square Pluto in the 5th Harmonic.

Jim Eshelman wrote:...a few more public examples of people who unlocked this genius and its consequent expression in them.

Gandhi is an obvious one. He gets Moon-Jupiter, Mars-Pluto, Saturn-Neptune. (Compare these to the course of his mission and legacy.) The first two also show in his natal.

Einstein (such an actualized human being that he was the core example of Maslow's early studies) has Moon-Mercury, Moon-Neptune, Mercury-Jupiter-Saturn, and a rather wide Mars-Uranus. Of these, only the Mercury-Saturn showed in his natal.

Mozart has Sun-Mars opposite Jupiter-Uranus (with Mercury widely connected), plus a precise Moon-Pluto (moderately joined to Venus). Of these, his natal only showed Moon-Pluto (2') and Sun-Mercury (45'). Look at how the 5th harmonic aspect structure showed the unfolding of his character as his genius exploded open!

Pope Francis, who has emerged as an avatar of compassion and (in a newsworthy way) especially of compassion for diversities in human sexuality, shows Moon-Neptune and a very precise Venus-Mars (plus wider Jupiter-Saturn). None of this shows in his natal.

If we can trust the traditional birth data of Joan of Arc to be even slightly correct, she gets exact Uranus-Neptune and Jupiter-Saturn aspects. Neither of these is present in her natal, and yet they describe the primary things one knows about her mission and its character. (Only missing is the Mars warrior factor, and all the 5th harmonic shows is Mars rather widely tied to the political, avatarish Jupiter-Saturn.)

Did Thomas Edison truly unlock his innate genius? Seems to me he did. His 5th harmonic chart shows... Mercury-Venus-Uranus with some peripheral Moon, and then a close Moon-Jupiter.

I have many private cases I haven't mentioned, primarily for privacy, partly because their stories are insufficiently known to make the aspects meaningful.

DDonovanKinsolving wrote:I find this fascinating. I have Uranus-Q-Mars, Mars-Q-Moon, Uranus-BQ-Moon.

At your convenience, it would be nice to see more of your thoughts, Mr. E., about 1) the directions higher spiritual activation could and should go with various combinations of planets, and 2) whether you think any particular planetary configurations are inherently fraught with caution (as, in your example, Hitler).

In your case, the counsel certainly would be: Be bold, be willing to shake and challenge, and you probably will encounter a significant ordeal of detachment (i.e., whether to continue forward and see ferociously more change than your ego might have picked, willingness to let people go from your life who are blown away by the ferocity and mercilessness of your honesty, etc.). Does that help?

It's really just a math trick to see the Quintile series of aspects, rather than a chart itself.

What stands out for you is Sun-Moon and the Mercury-Neptune that comes from your natal conjunction (i.e., not a new aspect), to which we can add (by opposition, i.e., the half-quintile series) Moon-Uranus.

Yes 5th harmonic chart.
Natally, I see my very close Sun-Moon Quintile. My only quintile.
In my fifth harmonic chart, I see many conjunctions, oppositions and squares. Higher up on page, as quoted above, you suggest these major aspects. Now you say primarily conjunctions.
My 5th H chart has Sun-Moon conjunction of 2.41 which converts to natal chart of Sun-Moon Q .32. Is this the math trick?

Why do you mention conjunctions of primary significant now whereas before you mention all hard aspects? Did you learn more in the mean time?
Also can you explain why took my n Sun-Moon Q and nMercury-Neptune conjunction as more significant. You seem to leave out and not mention nMoon-Mercury which is my closest aspect. And in 5th harmonic Sun conjunct-Mercury is closest luminary, also moon Mercury close too. I am not following.

It's all a matter of relative importance. It's not an "on-off" switch. "Conjunctions" in a 5H chart are quintiles in the natal; oppositions are deciles (half-quintiles); squares are vigintiles (quarti-quintiles). the drop-off in importance of these is surely steeper than the drop-off between conjunctions, oppositions, and squares in a natal.

And a good rule of them, especially with experimental things and things new to you, is to be conservative - give yourself the fewest data points, not the most. In your case, I concentrated on the items that were closest orbs and primarily quintiles (and, to a lesser extent, deciles). The "squares," with one exception, were larger orbs, and the one "square" aspect didn't add much that would be easy to discern. On the "less is better than more" philosophy, I tipped you toward a cautions, conservative exploration, not an expansive one.

Assuming all that's correct, would you give the opposition and square more importance because they're closer, or would you still give the conjunctions more importance because they're conjunctions even though they are weak?

Yes. The Jupiter-Uranus is pretty weak compared to the others, and at 9°10' (= 550') converts back (divide by 5) to a 110' = 1°50' orbed quintile in the natal. The others are quite close.

Assuming all that's correct, would you give the opposition and square more importance because they're closer, or would you still give the conjunctions more importance because they're conjunctions even though they are weak?

I'd ignore the conjunction except for icing. Look for closest first. I can't say that I can say for sure what the orbs should be, but I train myself to look at 3° first, then layer out to 6-7°, etc.

Jupiter-Pluto isn't a new aspect, though, it's just your original Jupiter-Pluto square from your natal.

Okay. Thank you Jim. I do understand the 'less is more' approach in my case.
I re-read everything and I do understand more. In following the research and logic of the 5th harmonic chart- quintile (conjunction), half (opposition) and quarter (square).

I guess this is relevant to this topic because it has to do with the interpretive import of this particular kind of chart.

Mine came up with -

Jupiter square Pluto
Sun opposite Neptune

And I'm kind of dumbfounded as I'm thinking about this 5th Harmonic chart having to do with self-actualization. Primarily, though, it's striking me specifically in terms of Jung's process of *individuation.* My own bias is that self-actualization and individuation are integrally related, so that's rooted in the background of these thoughts. But here are the thoughts:

Oh my god. Of course. These two qualities expressed by this 5th Harmonic chart, are *of course* the things that have been presented to me again and again by society as my "sins," my "weaknesses!" - that which is "wicked" within me. And these are precisely the things that are powerfully psychologically important to me to express as well as the things that set me at odds with everyone else. In other words, these qualities have everything to do with my own *individuation* relative to societal norms.

Lance, thank you for sharing. I can relate to your description in that it is like a 'of course' realization!. It is important to understand the 'individualism' or whatever, you are recognizing per 5th harmonic reflects the aspects of Jupiter-Pluto and Sun-Neptune. Pluto and Neptune are malefic.
For example, I have a Sun-Moon and Venus-Uranus 5th harmonic and so the logic goes these aspects reveal themselves to me through out life. But these are benefic, and it is apparent. I am realizing I am an odd ball, utopian, sensitive lover=Venus-Uranus and for Sun-Moon, I think I am realizing how connected my ego is with my emotional nature and how I can feed off, use, my own energy for worse or better.

I'm really taken with Jim's interpretation for the quintile family of aspects. You'd have to know some of the eccentric stuff I've pulled in my life and my own deep leanings toward mysticism. I had thought it was all due to my Moon in Pisces, but I seemed to be a bit extreme still. This view of this Sun/Neptune connection in the context of sort of ....that deep psychological energy which awakens you, or awakens within you, or both... this perspective seems to actually give it the emphasis that it has in my life. Or perhaps it's both the Moon in Pisces as well as this flavor aspect.

JSAP- you often just react and disagree with what others say but yet don't express yourself on your own. So if I didn't say Neptune and Pluto were malefic, you wouldn't have any reaction, anything to say. It is actually useless disagreeing with someone. Why not just state your opinion or perspective on your own, instead of feeding off of others.

It already feels like ages since I last posted. If I remember correctly my last post was about the quintile series of aspects. I believe I have come a long way since then.

From my personal experience, these aspects are very subconscious for lack of a better word. They start evolving or manifesting when we set to do something worthwhile or atleast something which requires our entire personal power or in cases of extremely dangerous circumstances.

There are cases where a man who is down in luck with no direction suddenly comes face to face with himself and he realizes certain things about his self. Then he goes on to make certain changes within him and verily so his outward circumstances also changes. There are also cases where extreme forms of meditation causes this. Also sometimes just some event which makes you realize certain things.

Now it might sound funny but I am of the opinion that majority of the self help books or atleast books or methods which offer a way to tap into your mind to help you solve your life problems is just another way of lets say tapping into these quintile series of aspects. They are like a super version of aspects always there but inaccessible. After all we lead a comfortable life where we are content or just complacent that we dont feel a need to go within ourselves.